James Halligan (1778–1806) facts for kids
James Halligan (1778 – 5 June 1806) was an Irishman who moved to America. He lived and worked in Boston. On November 12, 1805, he and Dominic Daley were arrested. They were accused of a serious crime related to Marcus Lyon. Lyon's body had been found on November 10 near Springfield, Massachusetts. People in the area had seen Halligan and Daley there the day before. A thirteen-year-old, Laertes Fuller, told this to a jury. Police went after the two men on November 11 and arrested them the next day.
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The Trial of Halligan and Daley
The trial for Commonwealth v. Dominic Daley and James Halligan happened in Northampton, Massachusetts. Halligan and Daley's lawyers had only two days to prepare their defense. The main evidence against them was Fuller's statement. However, this statement did not offer strong proof of the crime. Even Fuller was not sure if Halligan was there.
Challenges for the Defense
The lawyers for Halligan and Daley had no witnesses to call. Also, the laws in Massachusetts at that time did not let the accused men speak for themselves. The only argument in their favor was a final statement by one of their lawyers, Francis Blake. Blake suggested that the men were being accused mainly because they were Irish. Despite this, the jury decided they were guilty in less than an hour.
A Sad End and Public Reaction
Jean-Louis Lefebvre de Cheverus, a priest from Boston, came to help Halligan and Daley in their final moments. He did this even though it was risky for him. The two men were put to death on June 5, 1806. About 15,000 people came to Northampton to see this event.
Righting a Past Wrong
Today, this trial is seen as an example of unfairness against Irish people in New England at that time. Many people believe Halligan and Daley were treated unfairly. Years later, on St. Patrick's Day in 1984, Governor Michael Dukakis made an official statement. This statement cleared the names of Daley and Halligan, recognizing that they had been wrongly accused.
See also
- List of wrongful convictions in the United States
